When asked about the performances of 21-year-old rookie Alexander Steen and 21-year-old sophomore Matt Stajan, the Maple Leafs coach did not hesitate.

"Probably our better players again," Quinn said last night after a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I don't like it (that) some of the (veteran) guys are playing at a level that is probably below their abilities."

On a line with veteran centre Jason Allison, both Stajan and Steen had their first three-point games in the NHL and were a plus-2 on the night.

But Stajan was stinging after the game. His turnover helped lead to the winning goal by the Hurricanes and he was a touch too late to stop Erik Cole from deflecting the puck over goalie Ed Belfour in the final two minutes.

"It was a bad break," Stajan said. "I actually had control of the puck and lost it and got hooked a couple of times. I was ahead of their three guys (going back into the Leafs zone) and somehow three guys passed me. Maybe if I took a dive (a hook) would have been called, but I am not going to do that. I was late getting back and that's how she goes."

Steen is getting raves for his defensive play -- he leads the Leafs with a plus-5 rating -- and he now has 10 points (five goals and five assists) in 13 games. But despite a nice evening, he was glum.